Page 72 of Summer Weddings
“I know you are.”
“I spent a lot of years hating Catherine Fletcher for what she did to my family, but I can’t anymore. It’s because of her that I found the most precious gift of my life. You. Remember what you said a few weeks ago about the two of us being destined for each other? I believe it now, as strongly as I believe anything.”
* * *
Bethany had purposely waited three days before visiting the Hard Luck Café. She’d needed the time to fortify herself for this first confrontation. The night of her arrival, Mitch had confirmed what she already knew: Ben Hamilton owned the café.
Her heart skipped, then thudded so hard it was almost painful. Her palms felt sweaty as she pulled open the door and stepped inside.If she reacted this way before she even met Ben, what would she be like afterward?
“Hello.”
Ben stood behind the counter, a white apron around his middle, a welcoming smile on his lips. Bethany felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her.
“You must be Bethany Ross.”
“Yes,” she said, struggling to make her voice audible. “You’re Ben Hamilton?”
“The one and only.” He sketched a little bow, then leaned back against the counter, studying her.
With her breath trapped in her lungs, Bethany made a show of glancing around the empty room. It was eleven-thirty, still early for lunch. The café featured a counter and a number of booths with red vinyl upholstery. The rest of the furnishings consisted of tables and mismatched chairs.
“Help yourself to a seat.”
“Thank you.” Bethany chose to sit at the counter. She picked up a plastic-coated menu and pretended to study it.
“The special of the day is a roast-beef sandwich,” Ben told her.
She looked up and nodded. “What about the soup?”
“Split pea.”
Ben was nothing like she’d expected. The years hadn’t been as generous to him as she’d hoped. His hair had thinned and his belly hung over the waistband of his apron. Lines creased his face.
If he hadn’t introduced himself, hadn’t said his name aloud, Bethany would never have guessed.
“Do you want any recommendations?” he asked.
“Please.”
“Go with the special.”
She closed the menu. “All right, I will.”
As he walked back to the kitchen, he asked, “How are things going for you at the school?”
“Fine,” she said, surprised she was able to carry on a normal conversation with him. “The kids I’ve met are great, and Margaret’s been a lot of help.” Today was Labor Day; tomorrow was her first day of teaching.
She wondered what Ben saw when he looked at her. Did he notice any resemblance? Did he see how much she looked like her mother, especially around the eyes? Or had he wiped the memory of her mother from his mind?
“Everyone in Hard Luck’s real pleased to have you.”
“I’m pleased to be here,” she responded politely. She was struck by how friendly he was, how genuinely interested he seemed. Was that why her mother had fallen in love with him all those years ago?
The door opened and Ben looked up. “Howdy, Mitch. Said hello to the new schoolteacher yet?”
“We met earlier.” Bethany thought she detected a note of reluctance in his voice, as if he regretted coming into the café while she was there.
Mitch claimed the stool at the opposite end of the counter.
